PHOTO ESSAY: A young trans woman's journey, and her latest destination: World Pride in Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — As they get ready in their hotel room, Bella Bautista trades makeup tips with the roommate she has just met.

Bautista, her cheekbones high and her confidence glowing, asks her roommate to curl her highlighted hair in the back. Jae Douglas obliges cheerfully.

Bautista, 22, is a college cheerleader turned pageant contestant. Last month, she competed in the Miss Supranational USA pageant in Miami, representing Tennessee. She hails from Cartersville, a small Georgia town north of Atlanta. She works as a social media intern for the Global Trans Equity Project.

She has come to Washington, D.C., to attend World Pride activities in the wake of the Trump administration’s policies legislating against gender-affirming care and its rhetoric against transgender girls in sports. During a speech she delivers to the trans community she announces what could be the anthem for her audience: “I'm not asking for permission to be who I am, I am who I am.”

Bautista says she is the first and only transgender woman to compete in the Miss Supranational pageant. It is part of a lengthier process of embracing her identity — both within herself and to the world.

Marching in an impending rain with a hundred others from the National Trans Visibility March, en route to the Lincoln Memorial to join the World Pride rally, Bella reflected, “I’m not fighting for myself anymore. I’m fighting for a larger cause alongside other people, which is good for a change. You know, being the only transgender person from my small town, it’s different to be in the capital of the USA. But so many people that are also fighting alongside with me are here, and have that same struggle.”

“In previous years, I felt more compelled to live my life stealth,” Bautista says. “But with everything going on with the current administration, I felt the need to give an actual face to the issue.”

And so she has come to World Pride, determined to be present and to fly the flag of who she is.

When Bautista transitioned during her senior year of high school in 2020, there were many pro-Trump demonstrations by students at her school during school hours. So she started a “diversity club” to create a safe place for LGBTQ+ students and students of color.

“I came out to my mom when I was 13, and I asked her, “Am I a girl?′ She said she didn’t know — ‘That’s something we need to look into.’ I didn’t know what being trans meant or anything like that. I’ve always been flexible with my gender and sexuality.”

Puberty was an upsetting time for her, before she was able to access gender-affirming care. “Having male hormones in my body gave me a lot of anxiety, dysphoria. And I felt that testosterone was going to destroy my body,” she says. With her family’s assent, she ordered hormones online and medically transitioned at 17, during her senior year.

As a gamer, she chose the name “Bella” online. It stuck.

“When I went to college I chose that name and told people, ‘Hi, I am Bella, I’m a woman.’ And I was stealth. No one on campus knew I was trans at the start. I just really wanted to live a normal college life, be a normal college girl.”

But things changed during her second year at college. She awakened to all the “harmful stereotypes” — and realized she could use them to help others.

“People would say that I don’t look trans, I don’t sound trans, so for me to be openly trans, it gives people more perspective,” she says. “I’m a normal college girl. I’m a cheerleader. This is what I look and sound like. It really resonates with both political parties.”

This past winter, she decided to testify at the Georgia State Capitol about her experience as a young trans woman athlete. It was illuminating for her.

“I had to speak in front of Republican members and I would run into them in the hallways or the elevators, or outside the bathroom, and they’d say, ’Oh, you’re testifying against my bill but you’re amazing, I loved your speech. Politicians politicize trans rights to gain votes. A big part of my platform is saying that my trans identify is not a political agenda for either side.”

She later began an organization called “This Does Not Define Me,” referring to her experiences with PTSD, a speech impediment, being Mexican American and fighting trans stereotypes. The organization is about visibility — and a sense that the challenges faced by people, especially within the trans community, shouldn’t define them.

“I hope that as more people meet me I put them at ease,” she says, “and I get more empathy for the trans community. As people have more interactions with trans people they’ll realize we are just normal people, with dreams, and this just happens to be my story.”

Bautista’s own journey has defined her in many ways, though, including her professional aspirations. She hopes to become a civil rights attorney, to stand up for marginalized people, and someday to run for public office in Georgia.

That’s later, though. Now, in a climate that doesn’t always accept people like her, there is power in just being who she is.

“I think the most powerful thing that I can do right now as a young trans woman is to educate the populace that this is my experience and that I am so much more than just being trans.”

Back at the hotel, ahead of attending a conference for the National Trans Visibility March, Bautista has Douglas take a video of her striding through the lobby in a gold gown. It’s for her Instagram feed. A family with two young children stops her. “Are you a model? Where may we have seen you before?” Bella smiles demurely and says, “Oh, I’m a pageant girl.”

She turns to a visitor. “I get that a lot,” she says.

Coming to World Pride from a hometown where she’s the only trans person is raising some questions for Bautista. Is allyship enough? Are gay members of the community fully backing trans rights? “It really feels like it’s LGB and then T,” she says. “We are going through so much. I am hoping these people waving the gay flag are also considering what we are going through at this time.”

Add onto that her identity as a Mexican woman and — with the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown on many fronts — there is still more she wants to advocate. So much more to do.

Bella Bautista was silent for a while. No longer.

“It feels good to represent … something bigger and to be proud of that,” she says.

“I kind of want to be like, ‘I’m here,’ you know?” she says. “I’m just a normal college girl, I’m a cheerleader, I do pageants, and I happen to be trans, but that does not define my ability to succeed. Being trans is part of who I am, but I still deserve access to those dreams.”

This is a documentary photo story curated by AP photo editors.

Jacquelyn Martin is an Associated Press photographer based in Washington.

Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman, second from left, sits outside the Human Rights Campaign by a sign that says "equality" after attending an awards ceremony for the National Trans Visibility March, at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters, during World Pride, Friday, June 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, left, a trans woman, has dinner with Marissa Miller, Founder of the National Trans Visibility March (NTVM) and a trans woman, center, and Elijah Nicholas, DBA, who is Lead Strategy Director of NTVM, and a trans man, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at a dinner for strategic organizers of the march, during World Pride. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman, arrives for the Capitol Pride Awards, during World Pride, Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Building Museum in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Gabriel Faith, of Newark, N.J., makes a sign during a pre-rally for the National Trans Visibility March, at the Human Rights Campaign, before marching to join the World Pride Rally on the National Mall, Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, right, a trans woman, adjusts the trans pride flags in the hair of trans femme Jae Douglas, 21, as they head toward a concert for World Pride, Saturday, June 7, 2025, by the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall in Washington. (Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, right, a trans woman, has a photo taken with Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., the first trans woman to be a member of Congress, during a reception held by the Christopher Project, a trans rights organization, after the Human Rights Conference during World Pride, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Marion F., left, and her partner Jessie G., embrace as they listen to speakers during a pre-rally with the National Trans Visibility March, held at the Human Rights Campaign, before marching to join the World Pride Rally on the National Mall, Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman, speaks during a pre-rally with the National Trans Visibility March, held at the Human Rights Campaign, before marching to join the World Pride Rally on the National Mall, Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, third from left, a trans woman, walks on the stage with fellow contestants as her portrait is displayed during the Miss Supranational USA pageant, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in Miami. Bautista says she is the first trans woman to compete in this pageant. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Bella Bautista, 22, center, a trans woman, talks with a man who complimented her outfit, left, and Beyonce Black St. James, of Spokane, Wash., who is Miss Trans USA, right, during the Capitol Pride Awards during World Pride, Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Building Museum in Washington. (Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman, attends an awards ceremony for the National Trans Visibility March, at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters, during World Pride, Friday, June 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Jae Douglas, 21, a trans femme from Tallahassee, Fla., right, helps Bella Bautista, 22, left, a trans woman, curl her hair in their hotel room in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as the roommates prepare to attend a dinner for strategic organizers of the National Trans Visibility March, during World Pride. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman, does her makeup in her hotel room in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, June 4, 2025, ahead of attending a dinner for strategic organizers of the National Trans Visibility March, during World Pride. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, third from left, a trans woman, poses with other contestants during a photo session for the Miss Supranational USA pageant, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Miami. Bautista says she is the first trans woman to compete in this pageant. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Bella Bautista, 22, left, a trans woman, works with director Magali Febles during a photo session for the Miss Supranational USA pageant, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Miami. Bautista says she is the first trans woman to compete in this pageant. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman, attends a concert during World Pride, Saturday, June 7, 2025, on the National Mall in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman, walks into the women's bathroom during a concert at World Pride, Saturday, June 7, 2025, on the National Mall in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

After marching with the National Trans Visibility March, Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman, attends the World Pride Rally on the National Mall, Sunday, June 8, 2025, with the Washington Monument in the background in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, center, a trans woman, attends the National Trans Visibility March, en route to join the World Pride Rally on the National Mall, Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

People of Iranian descent attend the World Pride Parade, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman, attends the World Pride Parade with Jae Douglas, 21, right, who identifies as a trans femme, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Washington. A resident of Georgia, she’s wearing a sash from her time in the Miss Supranational USA pageant, in which she represented Tennessee. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Bella Bautista, 22, a trans woman from Cartersville, Ga., walks past the U.S. Capitol after attending the World Pride Parade, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

NEW YORK (AP) — Kamala Harris “wrote off rural America" during the 2024 presidential campaign and failed to attack Donald Trump with sufficient “negative firepower," according to a long-awaited post-election autopsy released on Thursday by the Democratic National Committee.

The committee's chair, Ken Martin, shared the 192-page report only after facing intense internal pressure from frustrated Democratic operatives concerned with his leadership. Martin had originally promised to release the autopsy, only to keep it under wraps for months because he was concerned it would be a distraction ahead of the midterms as Democrats mobilize to take back control of Congress.

On Tuesday, Martin apologized for his handling of the situation and conceded that the report was withheld because it “was not ready for primetime."

Although the autopsy criticizes Democrats' focus on “identity politics,” it sidesteps some of the most controversial elements of the 2024 campaign. The report does not address former President Joe Biden’s decision to seek reelection, the rushed selection of Harris to replace him on the ticket or the party's acrimonious divide over the war in Gaza.

“I am not proud of this product; it does not meet my standards, and it won’t meet your standards,” Martin wrote in an essay on Substack on Thursday. “I don’t endorse what’s in this report, or what’s left out of it. I could not in good faith put the DNC’s stamp of approval on it. But transparency is paramount.”

A spokesperson for Harris did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The initial reaction from Democratic operatives was a mix of bafflement and anger over Martin's handling of the situation.

“Why not say this in 2024, or bring in more people to finish it, instead of turning this into the dumbest media cycle for 7-8 months?” Democratic strategist Steve Schale wrote on social media.

The postelection report, which was authored by Democratic consultant Paul Rivera, calls for “a renewed focus on the voters of Middle America and the South, who have come to believe they are not included in the Democratic vision of a stronger and more dynamic America for everyone.”

“Millions of Americans are suffering from poor access to healthcare, manufacturing and job losses, and a failing infrastructure, yet continue to be persuaded to vote against their best interests because they do not see themselves reflected in the America of the Democratic Party,” the report says.

The autopsy points to a reduction in support and training for Democratic state parties, voter registration shifts and “a persistent inability or unwillingness to listen to all voters.”

Thursday's release comes as Martin confronts a crisis of confidence among party officials who are increasingly concerned about the health of their political machine barely a year into his term. Some Democratic operatives have had informal discussions about recruiting a new chair, even though most believe that Martin’s job wasn't in serious jeopardy ahead of the midterm elections.

The report found that Harris and her allies failed to focus enough on Trump's negatives, especially his felony convictions. This was part of a broader criticism that Democrats' messaging is too focused on reason and winning arguments, “even in cycles when the electorate is defined by rage.”

“There was a decision in the 2024 Democratic leadership not to engage in negative advertising at the scale required,” the report states. “The Trump campaign and supportive Super PACs went full throttle against Vice President Harris, but there was not sufficient or similar negative firepower directed at Trump by Democrats.”

The report continues: “It was essential to prosecute a more effective case as to why Trump should have been disqualified from ever again taking office. The grounds were there, but the messaging did not make the case.”

Trump's attack on Harris' transgender policies were cited as a key contrast.

Specifically, the report suggested the Democratic nominee was “boxed” in by the Trump campaign's “very effective” ad that highlighted Harris' previous statement of support for taxpayer-funded gender-affirming surgeries for prison inmates.

Democratic pollsters believed that “if the Vice President would not change her position – and she did not – then there was nothing which would have worked as a response," the report said.

The report criticized Harris' outreach to key segments of America while condemning the party's focus on “identity politics.”

“Harris wrote off rural America, assuming urban/suburban margins would compensate. The math doesn’t work,” the report says. “You can’t lose rural areas by overwhelming margins and make it up elsewhere when rural voters are a significant share of the electorate. If Democrats are to reclaim leadership in the Heartland or the South, candidates must perform well in rural turf. Show up, listen, and then do it again.”

The report also references Democrats' underperformance with male voters of color.

“Male voters require direct engagement. The gender gap can be narrowed. Deploy male messengers, address economic concerns, and don’t assume identity politics will hold male voters of color,” it says.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event about loosening a federal refrigerant rule, in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Former Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a fireside chat on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

FILE - Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at DNC headquarters, Jan. 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert, File)